Easley Cops a Plea in Campaign Finance Probe
Former governor takes felony plea in state prosecution, federal charges will not be pursued
RALEIGH (By David N. Bass, Carolina Journal Online) — Mike Easley became the first governor in North Carolina history to be convicted of a felony connected to his conduct in public office after prosecutors and Easley’s attorneys reached a plea deal on state charges Tuesday.
Appearing relaxed and confident, the former two-term Democratic governor and attorney general entered an Alford Plea — under which Easley maintained his innocence while conceding that prosecutors might have enough evidence to get a jury conviction. At a Wake County Courthouse hearing, state and federal prosecutors agreed to drop their case against Easley when he pleaded guilty to a Class I felony for violating campaign finance laws.
Easley’s sentence could have included up to 15 months in prison. Instead, prosecutors agreed to no jail time and a $1,000 fine plus court costs. Wake County Superior Court Judge Osmond Smith approved the deal.
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RALEIGH (By David N. Bass, Carolina Journal Online) — Mike Easley became the first governor in North Carolina history to be convicted of a felony connected to his conduct in public office after prosecutors and Easley’s attorneys reached a plea deal on state charges Tuesday.
Appearing relaxed and confident, the former two-term Democratic governor and attorney general entered an Alford Plea — under which Easley maintained his innocence while conceding that prosecutors might have enough evidence to get a jury conviction. At a Wake County Courthouse hearing, state and federal prosecutors agreed to drop their case against Easley when he pleaded guilty to a Class I felony for violating campaign finance laws.
Easley’s sentence could have included up to 15 months in prison. Instead, prosecutors agreed to no jail time and a $1,000 fine plus court costs. Wake County Superior Court Judge Osmond Smith approved the deal.
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posted by BP News Bureau | 9:54 AM
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